Or at least you, OldDan, would want to loop in your specific way. And that's great. Also, I don't mean that anyone wants to be horribly uncomfortable; but just that different strokes for different folks. Some like a smaller/nimbler boat, some have a budget, and some people enjoy camping, believe it or not. The Loop can be a season, not a lifetime (or it could be a lifetime of course)
OP posted a budget of $35k or less, so they might not be happy with a boat that is twice what they can afford.
That would be nice in The Bahamas, but I don't see it as all that useful for the rest of the loop (freshwater, dirty harbors, etc.) and on their budget it seems like an unnecessary drain on resources.
If on a tight budget and boat comes with old electronics, I'd consider something like an iPad, Aquamaps, Navionics, etc. Maybe not as good as a "real" charplotter in some ways, but huge bang for the buck. If the old electronics work, you may still want to use them for depth, radar, etc.
I would love that much too. But I've noticed a number of Camanos complete the loop (older ones have 95 gallons of fuel) and quite a few C-Dorys (46 or 100 gallons 22'/25').
I just have a hard time imagining all that on a $35,000 boat. A washing machine?
I'll stop going point by point now, but given what the OP posted as their desires/limitations, I would take the exact opposite tack.
That is, if you (OP) are going to stick to a "smaller" budget, go for a simple boat. Fewer things to go wrong. Fewer spares to buy. Fewer pros to potentially need to pay. So no watermaker, single engine, etc. Buying the biggest, most complicated $35k boat you can find is bound to be a nightmare.
If it's a tiny bit less comfortable than home, well, it's a one-time trip. The Loop! I almost think you would have to have that type of attitude to make it work in a "less cushy/fancy" boat. Or at least that is how I would approach it if those were my parameters.
Many people have done similar and said it was the time of their lives. (Links at bottom of post)
Have a look at the blog called Halcyon Days (blog of retired couple who lived on a C-Dory 22 and previously did the loop on a Flicka 20). Or for a more recent blog, a retired couple who looped on a C-Dory 25 (that's not a $35k boat but it's a small/simple concept that could transfer to a different boat).
M/V Serenity (Albin 27) has a blog and is finishing loop right now. "Gammel Dansk" is a Nordic Tugs 26 that just finished the Loop with two people and a guide dog. Our own Jeff F did the Loop in a Mainship 34 (often sell for mid $30's) (of course more gets spent later, but not as much "more" as on a much larger, more complicated boat)..
These people all looked to have a good time and none of them were teenagers (most are retired couples).
Oh, one last note is that any boat with a flybridge will then have two of many things. (Electronics, steering, etc.) and also possibly canvas ($ wear item). Not that you shouldn't have one if you love that, but just something to consider.
Here are some links if you want to see if any of these scenarios appeal to you (OP).
(Old Dan I get that you would not enjoy it. And you don't need to as your budget is much larger, so why not be more comfortable! I probably would too
)
Some of these boats cost more than $35k, but you can at least read about simpler boats and smaller boats and see how people do it and if it sounds fun.
Albin 27 (probably the least expensive boat of the group, just finishing their Great Loop):
https://aroundtheloopwego.blogspot.com/2019/09/purchased-2142019.html
Mainship 34 (Jeff F of TF) (this link starts around Chicago then goes on around The Loop via the full Mississippi which is pretty cool):
https://boatingadventures.ca/2018/10/
C-Dory 22 (Retired couple, did loop previously in 20' sailboat, this covers many trips all over the US and Canadian waterways):
Cruising America-Halcyon Days
C-Dory 25: (Retired couple from PNW head east and do The Great Loop):
https://daydreamsloop.blogspot.com/2017/01/welcome-to-daydreams-great-loop-blog.html
Nordic Tugs 26 (Retired couple does Great Loop -- link goes to end of blog but has overview; you can of course go back to beginning) (this one is mostly photos):
Gammel Dansk Blog: 08/20/21
Camano Troll (28-footer, later called 31' but same boat)(not looping but going CT to Bahamas annually):
The Saga of Sesame: 08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006
